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I was 11 years old when I first heard a Buddy Rich recording. That was 1966. My father was a life long Jazz buff. My dad collected everything in big band jazz recordings. He played everything to my little brother and I. My dad was personal friends for many years with Stan Kenton whom I had met several times at Lake Tahoe. But out of all the bands my father listened to it was Buddy Rich who I came to love to hear. In 1968 for my 13th birthday my dad gave me "Big Swing Face". I played it, until it wore out and I had to buy a replacement. I really did not like "rock" music although I tolerated it to some degree. It was the big band sound that I loved to hear and Buddy Rich was by far my favorite band. I have since collected most of what Buddy Rich has ever recorded either on vinyl or CD to this day.
In 1986 I heard Buddy Rich for the first time live. The Great American Music Hall in San Francisco. What a night. I went to the concert with 5 of my buddies including my little brother. We stayed for all three sets. After the second set my brother and I "bullied" our way back stage to try to meet Buddy Rich. We succeeded. For just a couple of minutes of Buddy's time made our day. I did mention my father and his love of jazz and dropped Stan Kenton's name. I also mentioned the "Big Swing Face" recording as my all time favorite record, and Buddy agreed, it was one of his too. My father would have just loved this, but he passed away in 1974 at the age of 41. So my brother and I kept up the family tradition of big band jazz music at all home parties and gatherings with friends. Buddy Rich was the local favorite.
In 1987 the Buddy Rich Band came to my home town of Stockton, California. The concert was for one night only and two sets. This time I came prepared, just in case of a chance to meet Buddy again, I had the "Big Swing Face" album jacket under my arm. At the end of the first set I rushed the stage and asked Steve Marcus if I could go back stage and meet Buddy? Steve stated, "wait here and I will ask him", I did show Steve the Big Swing Face album. In less than one minute Steve came back to me and said lets go, I motioned to my brother to join me and he did. Steve took my brother and I back to Buddy's dressing room and for the next 10 to 15 minutes we had private time with Buddy Rich! I explained to Buddy what big fans we were etc. all about my father and his relationship with Stan Kenton. But what really got Buddy's attention was the Big Swing Face album under my arm. He asked, where did you get that old Pacific Jazz recording and why does the jacket look brand new? I told Buddy this recording was a birthday gift to me from my father when I was 11. Now that was 20 years ago, and what 32 year old man has a record from when he was 11 and in mint condition? I did explain this is a replacement album, the original wore out long time ago. Buddy's just laughed and praised both my brother and I. Then Buddy asked me, "were you the guy who came back stage a year ago in San Francisco and mentioned Big Swing Face"? Yes, I am the guy. I asked Buddy if he would sign the album cover and of course he did and wrote, " to my biggest fan, Stan " and signed it in a red pin. Buddy said, " I have got to get back and do the second set, are you guys going to stay? We replied of course. Buddy said, " I do not do requests, but if I did this one time, what would you like to hear"? I stated, Buddy what do you think?
"Big Swing Face" and play it loud!
We returned to our seats in the audience and I proudly showed off my Big Swing Face now signed album to who ever was interested. When Buddy came out on stage he made an announcement that "I do not do requests, but for a guy named Stan out there here it is for you, Big Swing Face, and he looked at his band and stated, boys play it loud".
I almost started to cry. I will never forget that moment in my life when I met Buddy Rich that night and his band played Big Swing Face for me. The signed album is framed on my wall in my dedicated music room where every now and then, when I am in the mood, Big Swing Face is played on CD, and played very loud. Just ask my neighbors! This is an absolutely true to the letter story. I also had a crush on Cathy Rich, she sang the "Beat Goes On" on the album and I loved her little voice, she was about the same age and I was and she just sounded so cute on that recording. Way better than Sonny and Cher anyway. I had always hoped to meet her someday.
~ Stan Krafft
In the early seventies I was a high school kid with ambition to play bass trombone jazz. Fortunately, I had a hip teacher (Alden Shoup) who introduced a bunch of us kids to the Laft Bank Jazz Society's Famous Ballroom in Baltimore. Sunday nights were concert nights. A student discount, bucket of chicken and a case of beer and we were all set to take-in some of the greatest acts going.
One fall night was Buddy Rich. Of course we were there early. We got a table right up front. Right up front. We must have been sitting there for at least an hour. One of the kids I was with had put his feet up on the edge of the stage - and never took them down when the great band leader took the stage. Buddy counted off the first tune (as he always did - with the hi-hat) - but then stopped about halfway through to address my friend - the kid with his feet on the stage! "Hey - you in my band?"
"aaah - no Sir"; "Then get your feet off my stage!" - and with that - finished the count and the band burst forth into the tune - full speed ahead.
What a great moment. The crowd loved it. Buddy was great.
~
Jake Jacobs
Way back in 1977- Vestavia Hills High School in Bham Alabama hosted the BR Band for a concert- and it was unbelievably intense! Buddy had fired everyone in his band the night before,and was scrambling to get enough caliber players by showtime. He was successful (as always)as only a select few even knew of the pre-show malais. Before the show I snuck onto Buddys bus,and got busted by Buddy himself. He looked at me and asked what the @#$# I was doing coming in uninvited-and I replied by handing him a poster of him from a Delta Airlines cover. He graciously signed it ,talked to me for 15 minutes,and later asked me to play for him! I was,needless to say,on cloud nine for a 16 yr old ! I saw Buddy probably 7 times live ,and was able to talk to him most every time! He remembered me as the kid from the bus,I remember him as the greatest drummer to ever grace a stage!
~
Eric Bedenbaugh |
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